Shockwaves are reverberating across Yorùbáland and the global Yorùbá diaspora following the sudden death of the Baba Ọba (King’s Father) of the famed Oyotunji African Village in South Carolina, USA. The late Baba Ọba, Lukman Arohunfale, a revered socialite and traditionalist, passed away under circumstances already sparking fierce controversy. His death comes just days after he publicly accused the newly installed Alaafin of Oyo, His Imperial Majesty Oba Akeem Adéyẹmọ Owoade, of allegedly ordering his courtiers to beat him mercilessly during a recent courtesy visit to the Oyo palace in Nigeria. In a widely circulated voice recording, the deceased recounted how what was meant to be a simple homage turned violent. Although the Baba Ọba had reportedly battled ill health in the past year, growing insinuations suggest that the alleged physical assault may have aggravated his condition, ultimately leading to his untimely death. The palace in Oyo recently denied that s...
A well-connected Cambodian police officer fatally shot his wife and then himself on Sunday night, August 27.
According to the report by the National Police Khieu
Kounel, 34, shot his wife, Yeng Leakhana, 37, in the head inside their
Meanchey district, Phnom Penh home before turning the gun on himself.
The report said a handgun and two bullet casings were found
at the scene and that relatives claimed the couple’s relationship was
marred by jealousy.
Song Ly, deputy commissioner of the Phnom Penh Municipal
Police, said that authorities believe the motive was marital strife, but
are investigating whether other motives may have been at play.
“We have not been able to come to a clear conclusion,” Ly
said. “We are launching a deeper investigation. We will try our best to
figure it out."
Family members of Khieu and Leakhena held separate funerals
yesterday. Many expressed shock about the deaths but declined to speak
further.
The couple, who got married around three months ago, often
posted loving photos and messages about each other on their social
media pages.
Kola, Konel’s father, declined to comment beyond saying that his family was suffering badly.
“I lost my only son and one of [the government’s] top officials,” he said.
Sopheak, the ministry spokesman, said that he was saddened
by his nephew’s death and confirmed that police were investigating.
Sopheak will preside over the cremation of Khieu’s body at Wat Srah Chak
on Wednesday.
Ly said police had yet to locate any witnesses, but a man
who identified himself as Leakhena’s younger brother said his aunt was
in the couple’s home at the time of the shooting, and overheard the
couple arguing briefly before she heard shots ring out.
In a statement, Konel’s sister asked reporters to let police investigate before jumping to conclusions.
“I love him so much,” Khieu Sansana wrote. “And I don’t know how I will cope with this. RIP my dearest brother.”
More photos below...
Source: Cambodia Daily
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